Tethered ball apparatus including paddle and wear resistant tether connection to ball

ABSTRACT

A recreational device primarily intended for use by one player, but which also can be used by several players, comprising a journalled coupling at the upper end of a vertical standard, a resilient ball and a flexible non-resilient cord connected at one end to the ball and at the other end to the journalled coupling, the cord length and the position of the journalled coupling being such that when the ball is struck by a hand-held bat the ball remains always out of contact with the ground and rotates freely about the standard in a substantially constant and regular circular orbit.

United States Patent [191 Lotfy I [111" I 3,764,140 [451 Oct. 9, 1973 I TETHERED BALL APPARATUS INCLUDING PADDLE AND WEAR RESISTANT TETIIER CONNECTION T0 BALL [76] Inventor: Mohamed Hussein Lotfy, 545 Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn, 111. 60137 [22] Filed: Dec. 10, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 96,840

[52] US. Cl. 273/95 A, 273/58 C, 273/76,

[51] Int. Cl A631) 71/00 [58] Field of Search 273/1 F, 95 A, 58 C,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 786,997 4/1905 Rosenthal 273/95 A 2,772,882 12/1956 Anson 273/95 A 3,602,504 8/1971 Chapman... 273/95 A 3,107,094 10/1963 Kfoury 273/58 C 3,301,556 1/1967 Hamilton 273/95 A 2,328,366 8/1943 Timmerman.. 273/76 Dl50,805 8/1948 Pauly 273/76 838,105 12/1906 Grant 273/1 F 2,864,617 12/1958 Crowley 273/58 C FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,210,115 10/1970 Great Britain 273/95 A 1,295,930 5/1962 France 273/95 A Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Marvin Siskind Att0rneyWolfe, Hubbard, Leydig, Voit & Osann, Ltd.

[5 7 ABSTRACT A recreational device primarily intended for use by one player, but which also can be used by several players, comprising a journalled coupling at the upper end of a vertical standard, a resilient ball and a flexible non-resilient cord connected at one end to the ball and at the other end to the journalled coupling, the

cord length and the position of the journalled coupling being such that when the ball is struck by a hand-held bat the ball remains always out of contact with the ground and rotates freely about the standard in a substantially constant and regular circular orbit.

9 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEUUBI 9191s I 3.764.140

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SHEET 20F 2 OOOOO'OOOO OOOOOOOOOOO I away 2v? 1/4/4 4(///"/ -J, W/z %/4/wm TETIIERED BALL APPARATUS INCLUDING PADDLE AND WEAR RESISTANT TETIIER CONNECTION T BALL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to recreational games and devices for playing the same. More particularly, the invention concerns the provision of a novel sport for truly competitive contests'either against the clock or against a competitor.

A game played against a clock, as in track and swimming competition for example, is predicated generally upon two fundamental principles: A measurable speed and the utilization of the player's strength and agility. The present invention respects these two principles and permits their fulfillment in the provision of a constant and regular circular motion in a tethered ball type game.

Recreational devices of the tethered ball type are numerous. In some of them the tether or cord, to the end of which is attached a ball, is fixed to the upper end of a pole and the concept of such games, as for example, in English tether ball and tether tennis, is the winding or wrapping of the cord around the pole.

In others the concepts embodied are different and their respective purposes vary from one game to another and for the most part they are either solo play devices which simulate the unsecured ball of a competitive game such as golf or tennis, e.g., Tennis-for- One, as advertised in McCalls September 1970, page 142, or else are multiple-player games such as English tether ball or my own Beach Ball (U.A.R. Pat. No. 3395). In Tennis-for-One an elongated elastic cord is fastened at one end to a ball and at the other'to a ground anchor. In Beach Ball the movement of the ball is irregular because a flexible metallic helix or spring at the upper end of the pole is utilized to receive the cords inner end.

It will be apparent that the foregoing devices are limited either to a single player practicing another sport or to multiple players and the few if any permit a lone player to practice and train on the identical equipment used in competition.

Thus, as indicated, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tethered ball recreational device for use by either one player, by one player competing against the clock, or by a plurality of players.

Another object is to provide such game device which may be used by either children or by adults of widely varying strength, skill, and coordination. A further object is to provide a challenging and invigorating recreational device usable either in accordance with prescribed rules or which permits adaptation to a variety of user-created rules.

Still another object is to provide a new ball game, as well as apparatus for playing the game, which is physically challenging, competitive, and easily learned, but which requires skill, dexterity, speed, and timing to achieve a degree of excellence. An associated object is to provide a ball game and ball game apparatus requiring a relatively small playing area, and capable of being set up on ordinary ground.

Other objects, aims, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description, which is to be read in conjunction with the attached drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, in accordance with the invention, aj recreational apparatus is provided which includes a vertical standard, a resilient ball, a flexible non-resilient c ord connectedat one end to the ball and at the other end to a journalled coupling carried by the standard. The

cord is of such length that the ball remains out of contact with the ground.

One or more players position themselves so that their hand-held bats, or paddles, can strike the ball when the cord is extended radially. Striking the ball causes the ball, the cord, and the journalled coupling to rotate freely about the standard in a circular orbit governed by the length of the cord and the angle between the cord and the axis of the upright standard.

In one embodiment of the invention, the journ-alled coupling comprises a vertical spool piece disposed axially on the upright standard near the top of the standard, and a ring member surrounding the spool piece which is freely rotatable about the spool piece and to which ring member is attached the inner end of the cord.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be more fully exemplified and illustrated in the following drawings wherein:

FIG. I is an overall view of a game device according to the invention showing the device in use by one player;

FIG. 2 is a front view, not drawn to scale, showing the upright standard, resilient ball, a flexible non-resilient cord, and a journalled coupling interposed between the standard and the inner end of the cord;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the top of the standard of FIG. 2 and illustrating in detail an exemplary assembly comprising the journalled coupling;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view, partly in section, showing a portion of the standard of FIG. 2 employed to provide a height adjustment for the standard;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view, partly in section, and illustrates one mode of securing the resilient ball to the non-resilient cord;

FIG. 6 is a front view of an exemplary bat or paddle used in conjunction with the inventive apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 7 shows the paddle of FIG. 6 in combination with a hand-protecting guard or shield;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the guard or shield of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative structure, shown partly in section, for securing the ball to the cord.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION While the invention will be described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention thereto, but it is intended to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Turning now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. I and 2, the invention is illustrated in conjunction with an exemplary apparatus, indicated generally at 10. The apparatus 10 includes an upright or vertical standard comprising a hollow elongated cylinder I2 adapted to receive an elongated cylindrical rod 14 having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the cylinder 12 so that it may slidably telescope within the cylinder. On the top of the rod I4 is a journalled coupling, later described with reference to FIG. 3, for permitting free rotation of the ball 36 and its connecting cord 34 as the ball is hit by the player or players. Hitting the ball in a direction generally tangent to the dotted-line orbit causes the ball to rotate or orbit about the standard in a circular path on a plane either perpendicular or inclined with respect to the standard 10.

To provide for adjustable height, the upper end portion of the cylinder 12 has a threaded aperture I3, best shown in FIG. 4, adapted to receive a threaded screw 16 having an enlarged knob portion to facilitate its rotation. The screw 16 acts as a locking mechanism to engage the rod 14. The elongated rod 14, as shown, has a number of inwardly directed notches I7 spaced along its length for receiving the end of the threaded locking screw 16 to insure effective locking of the rod 14 relative to the cylinder 12. For a single player, the rod is preferably adjusted relative to the cylinder so that the upper end portion of the rod is approximately at the chest level of the player, although some players may find that other levels improve their performance.

To hold the apparatus 10 in a vertical position, the lower end of the cylinder 12 as viewed in FIG. 1 is provided with a generally pointed end portion 18 so that it can be forced into the ground in a playground, yard or the like. The lower portion of the cylinder 12 advantageously has a pair of oppositely disposed outwardly extending relatively flat triangular flns or wings 20 in the vertical plane of the cyliner 12. Although only two wings have been shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, more may be incorporated to increase the vertical stability of the apparatus 10. The wings 20 may also conveniently serve as foot-pieces to assist in forcing the end 18 of the standard into the ground.

It is important that the ball 36 remain above the ground even when the ball hangs pendently from the standard. To this end, and with a 1.5 meter length of the cord 34, the cylinder 12 and the rod 14 have a combined height of about 62 inches from the top of the rod 14 to the top of the wings 20.

In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, and as shown in detail in FIG. 3, the elongated rod 14 has at its upper end portion a journalled coupling 21 which includes a journalling spool piece having a pair of face-to-face upper and lower truncated conical flanges 22, 24 spaced apart from each other by a shaft 23. The upper flange 24 has a threaded aperture 26 engaging a threaded end 28 of the shaft 23 to facilitate the removal and/or replacement of parts of the apparatus. The lower conical flange 22 may be an integral part of the rod 14 or, as shown, it may be independently fabricated and adapted to threadably engage a threaded end portion of the rod 14. The conical facing surfaces 30 of the flanges 22, 24 are advantageously hardened and polished or plated to minimize friction.

To provide for free rotation of the ball 36 (FIG. I) about the apparatus 10 the preferred embodiment of the journalled coupling 21 also includes an annular or torroidal ring 32, preferably made of metal, which is received about the shaft 23 between the flanges 22 and 24. To this ring is attached the inner end of the flexible non-resilient cord 34. The cord 34 advantageously may be made from transparent or colored nylon or other plastic monofilament or the like. The cord is preferably ofa length approximating 1.5 meters, although cords of a slightly different length may be used. Using the preferred length of cord an area of approximately 12 X 16 feet is all that is required to play the game.

The resilient ball 36 is attached at the remote end of the flexible cord 34. The ball 36 is preferably substantially similar in size and response to a conventional tennis ball, and is suitably modified for attachment to the cord 34. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the cord is passed through an aperture in the ball 36 and is tied or otherwise secured to a stop 38 located therein to prevent the cord from escaping.

To protect the aperture in the ball against an excessive wear during the playing of the game, a suitable nylon or plastic spaghetti tubing shield 40 may be provided near the ball 36. The same material may be used as shown at 41 near the ring 32 to cover the knot of the cord at this place.

Alternatively, and because the response'of a hollow resilient ball may be at least in part a function of having an entirely closed interior, the ball and its connection to the cord may be fashioned to provide a closed ball interior. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, a ball 36A has the cord 34 passed through an aperture in the ball and secured to a stop 38A located therein to prevent the cord from escaping. In this embodiment, however, and to provide for sealing the interior of the ball 36A, a grommet 37 is provided. The grommet 37 is preferably fashioned of resilient material and is formed with a central passage in which the cord 34 is snugly received. At its inner end, interiorly of the ball 36A, the grommet is provided with a thin, radially extended skirt 37a. The skirt 37a is interposed between the stop 38 and the inner surface of the resilient ball 36A. Exteriorly of the ball the grommet is outwardly flared as indicated at 37b to extend radially outward over the edge of the aperture in the ball 36A. Thus, the aperture in the ball 36A is protected against wear during the playing of the game, and the aperture therein is effectively closed sealing the interior of the ball.

In the event the game is played in a gymnasium or room, a base (not shown), may be provided. The base may be of a generally circular configuration having a vertical sleeve portion adapted to receive the end portion 18 of the cylinder 12 (FIG. 2) therein. The sleeve portion may have vertically opening slots formed in its upper end for receiving the wings 20. The base is preferably sufficiently heavy and/or wide to prevent tipping of the apparatus during playing of the game.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, and referring to FIG. 6, a paddle or bat, indicated generally at 50, that is uniquely adapted for playing the ball game of the present invention is illustrated. The paddle 50 includes a flat, generally elliptical striking surface 52 and also includes a handle 54 that is rigid therewith. The handle has a length greater than its width and extends from an edge portion of the striking surface 52. Since, during the play of the game, the ball will normally be in a substantially horizontal circular orbit and at a generally constant distance from the rod 14, namely, approximately 1.5 meters, the position of the ball will generally change only in the vertical direction. Thus, the paddle also includes a rectangular primary striking area 53 that is substantially centered in the striking surface 52. The lengthwise direction of the rectangular area is transverse to the major axis of the elliptical striking surface 52 and the axis of the handle as is shown. The striking surface is also provided with a number of apertures 56 positioned in symmetrical array within the striking surface between the outer edge portion thereof and the primary striking area 53.

The handle 54 of the paddle 50 preferably has a slightly elliptical cross section and is flared inwardly and thereafter outwardly in a direction away from the striking surface. The outwardly flared portion facilitates the maintenance of a firm grip on the handle by a player while striking the ball 36. ln'addition the handle may also be provided with a stop finger 55 extending laterally from its outer end to be engaged by the little finger of a players hand when gripping the handle. Typically the paddle 50 has a6 inch long handle 54, and a striking surface 10 inches long by 9.5 inches wide. As a further safety feature a wrist band 57 is provided which can be made from plastic material, leather or the like and attached at the outer end of the handle to avoid accidental throwing of the paddle in case the racket would slip from the hand of the player during a fast game.

As a player becomes more proficientin striking the ball the orbital velocity of the ball increases such that if the ball strikes the hand of a player, the player may experience extreme discomfort. To insulate a player from such an experience, and-referring to FIG. 7, a guard 58 is provided as a protective shield. The guard 58 may be fabricated from leather, leather-like material, relatively heavy fabric, or similar flexible shock absorbing or insulating material. The guard 58 is of generally truncated conical form and is appropriately apertured at its narrow end 58a for the handle to pass through it and to position its outer end 58b so as to extend over the players hand gripping the handle.

THE PLAY OF THE GAME The Single Player it is contemplated that a single player will strike the ball with a paddle so as to orbit the'ballabout the standard in a generally horizontal orbit. Atthe completion of approximately one revolution, the player again strikes the ball, reversing the direction of travel of the ball in the orbit. By repeatedly reversing the direction of the ball upon successive orbits near the completion of each revolution, the player will use alternating forehand and backhand volleys to keep the ball in motion.

The single play can be practiced with either the right hand or with the left hand. Additionally a paddle may be used in each of the players hands so'that forehand or backhand volleys are made with each hand. This last form of play establishes the present invention as innovating the first symmetrical game among ball. and racket games. Thus, contests in the single player game contemplate requiring that each participant plays all of the several forms of single play in a set: With the right hand along (forehand and backhand), with the left hand alone (forehand and backhand), and with twohand forehand and two-hand backhand play. Through practice and depending upon the players individual strength, skill, dexterity and timing, the speed of the ball may be increased so that play is extremely fast and physically exerting. A players increasing skill or different players abilities can easily be gauged by counting the number ofhits or strikes of the ball in a unit of time, for example, one minute, less or more.

A Plurality of Players For a competitive two or four player game, the area of play (preferably 12 X l6 feet) may be marked into two equal halves of 12 X 8 feet separated by a center line. The following rules may govern'the play between two participants:

l. The serve is given to the player who has the forehand play directions.

2. The player who letsthe ball pass two consecutive times without hitting it loses a point.

3. The player who crosses over the center line loses a point.

4. The player who allows the cord to wind around the standard loses a point.

5. The player who allows the ball to touch the rod or cylinder loses a point.

6. The player who hits the ball with any part of his body loses a point.

The player who first amasses the required number of points, for example five points, is the winner.

In the event four players (doubles) play the game, the above rulesalso govern, with the added restriction that each of the two players on each team is required to alternate hitting the ball.

Thus, there has been provided, in accordance with the invention, a recreational apparatus which fully satisfies the aims, objects, and advantages set forth above.

I claim as my invention:

1. Recreational apparatus utilizing a hand-held paddle for propelling a ball, said apparatus comprising, in combination:

an elongated standard for disposition in a stationary vertical position;

a resilient ball having an aperture therein, a stop disposed within the interior .of the ball, a resilient grommetdisposed within said aperture and having a relatively thin skirt portion underlying the ball wall about said aperture interiorly thereof, and an outwardly flared portion extending outwardly through said aperture, said grommet having a central passage therethrough, said cord being snugly received in said grommet passage and extending therethrough and having its end secured to said stop, whereby the interior of said ball is closed; a flexible, non-resilient cord connected at one end to said ball, said cord being of a length sufficient to I dle for striking said resilient ball, comprising:

outer edge thereof and said rectangular primary striking area.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said handle has an elliptical cross section and is flared inward and then outward in a direction away from said striking surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said handle has a laterally projecting stop finger adjacent its outer end for engagement by the little finger of a player's hand when gripping the same.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a flexible shock absorbing guard is provided over said handle, said guard being of truncated conical form apertured at its narrow end for said handle to pass therethrough and extending in outwardly flared relation to said handle so as to cover the player's hand when gripping said handle.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said plurality of apertures is arranged in a generally symmetrical array.

7. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said standard includes a cylinder, a rod telescopically received within said cylinder, and means for securing said rod in extended relation with respect to said cylinder.

8. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cord is a transparent non-resilient plastic monofllament.

9. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said standard has a pointed lower end and an outwardly extending stablizing wing rigid therewith in spaced relation to said end of said standard. 

1. Recreational apparatus utilizing a hand-held paddle for propelling a ball, said apparatus comprising, in combination: an elongated standard for disposition in a stationary, vertical position; a resilienT ball having an aperture therein, a stop disposed within the interior of the ball, a resilient grommet disposed within said aperture and having a relatively thin skirt portion underlying the ball wall about said aperture interiorly thereof, and an outwardly flared portion extending outwardly through said aperture, said grommet having a central passage therethrough, said cord being snugly received in said grommet passage and extending therethrough and having its end secured to said stop, whereby the interior of said ball is closed; a flexible, non-resilient cord connected at one end to said ball, said cord being of a length sufficient to maintain said ball out of contact with the ground; a spool piece located near the top of said standard and having a pair of axially spaced flanges with facing, outwardly divergent surfaces; and, a ring attached to the other end of said cord, said ring surrounding said spool piece between the outwardly divergent surfaces of said pair of axially spaced flanges, said ring being freely rotatable so that said ball and said cord are freely rotatable about said standard when said ball is struck.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a paddle for striking said resilient ball, comprising: a flat, generally elliptical striking surface; a handle rigid with an edge portion of said striking surface and aligned with the major axis of said striking surface; and, said striking surface having a generally rectangular primary striking area substantially centered in said striking surface with the lengthwise direction of said area disposed transversely to the major axis of said striking surface, said striking surface being provided with a plurality of apertures between the outer edge thereof and said rectangular primary striking area.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said handle has an elliptical cross section and is flared inward and then outward in a direction away from said striking surface.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said handle has a laterally projecting stop finger adjacent its outer end for engagement by the little finger of a player''s hand when gripping the same.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a flexible shock absorbing guard is provided over said handle, said guard being of truncated conical form apertured at its narrow end for said handle to pass therethrough and extending in outwardly flared relation to said handle so as to cover the player''s hand when gripping said handle.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said plurality of apertures is arranged in a generally symmetrical array.
 7. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said standard includes a cylinder, a rod telescopically received within said cylinder, and means for securing said rod in extended relation with respect to said cylinder.
 8. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cord is a transparent non-resilient plastic monofilament.
 9. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said standard has a pointed lower end and an outwardly extending stablizing wing rigid therewith in spaced relation to said end of said standard. 